Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa emphasized that had the court’s verdict on the 2017 sit-in by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) at Islamabad’s Faizabad been implemented, it could have prevented future “serious incidents.”

“If this verdict had been implemented at that time, then serious incidents would not have occurred later,” noted CJP Isa during a hearing involving a set of review petitions challenging the Supreme Court’s earlier decision.

The three-member bench, consisting of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah, addressed the pleas. During the proceedings, the defense ministry, the PTI, and Ijazul Haq, the son of former military dictator Ziaul Haq, joined the Intelligence Bureau and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) in withdrawing their petitions. This prompted CJP Isa to question, “Why is everyone so afraid to speak the truth?”

Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, representing the federal government, assured the court that the decisions of the Faizabad judgment would be implemented.

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing until November 1, accepting the plea from Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid’s counsel to adjourn. The court directed respondents’ counsels to submit written responses by October 27.

The original judgment, authored by Justice Qazi Faez Isa before his tenure as Chief Justice of Pakistan, instructed the defense ministry and tri-services chiefs to penalize personnel found to have violated their oath. It also directed the federal government to monitor and prosecute those advocating hate, extremism, and terrorism.

Various government departments were criticized for causing inconvenience to the public during the 20-day sit-in that paralyzed life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Several parties and entities filed pleas against the verdict, but the IB and Pemra recently sought to withdraw their review petitions. During the hearing, the PTI also expressed its intention to withdraw its plea.

CJP Isa expressed frustration with the withdrawals, asking for reasons and accountability. He emphasized the importance of adhering to court decisions and questioned why certain institutions hesitated to do so.

The court kept the withdrawal pleas pending, inviting written statements from the concerned parties. CJP Isa highlighted the significance of acknowledging the court’s verdict as the truth and urged all parties to act accordingly.

The hearing was adjourned until November 1, with a directive for absent lawyers to ensure their presence at the next hearing. The court also requested a timeline for implementing the 2019 verdict, expressing concern about the hesitation of constitutional institutions.

CJP Isa reminded all parties not to undermine institutions and encouraged them to face the court if they have filed petitions, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.